My Urban Pantry

Wednesday night we headed downtown to the Highlands neighborhood where Vicky lives. It’s one of those regentrified neighborhoods where the houses have ‘charm’ but my mom wouldn’t want to live in one. If you know what I mean. We started out at Rootdown. It’s a farm to table type restaurant where they source locally and with integrity. We had appetizers there. I had heard ‘good things’ about it. The cocktails and company turned out to be the highlight. I think we would’ve done better by it having had dinner there. The building is great though, built in an old filling station. Sometimes fame, I think, comes too quickly.
Afterwards we walked (6 blocks, or 12) up to 32nd and had a very light supper at bang! which has the dinstinction of being the first place Z and I ever went on a date. It has, in my mind, everything going for it. I had a potato and goat cheese croquette with beurre blanc that was inspiring.

rootdown

• gimlets & mojitos
• sweet potato fries w/ curry sauce
• deep fried artichoke hearts
• grilled peach bruschetta

bang!

• potato & goat cheese croquette
• flank steak w/ fried polenta & bitter greens
• romaine salad w/ dried cherries & blue cheese
• arugula salad w/ dried apricots & sherry vinaigrette

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We went out to lunch with my mom and dad to La Sandia, or if you are Z, La Sangria because

• he likes to be difficult
• if he can get a rise out of me he is delighted
• he knows I like sangria

We went here because the chef is one we like and I wanted to try it out. The salsa was killer and maybe thickened w/ bean puree. I need to try that.

dad – chile rellenos
mom – baja tacos
me – baja tacos
z – torta (mexican sandwich w/ pork)

we went out to dinner with some great friends, some of a lifetime and some a bit shorter but the vintage is as wonderful. The scene, Parisi. Closest to a bistro or pub where the food and wine are uncomplicated and friendly but the owner is from Florence. It has a lovely shop selling gelato, espresso and things to squrrel away in the pantry for a rainy day. The photo is the view from our table.

the players in no particular order.

k- pollo con funghi w/ olive oil potatoes
z- pasta alla amatriciana
d- tomato soup
v- italian wedding soup
a-gnocchi w/ pesto cream
j- pizza salad

Kind of like alliteration but not. We are spending a week with friends and family in Denver. Here is what came to mind on Monday.

• September (a ber month. thanks, Karin.)
• Brian’s birthday (a bir day)
• brr. It was 37 degrees and snowed. (I brought three pairs of flip flops in my luggage. very useful.)